Located 340 km south of the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of three
mountains open to the eternal snow on the equator, in addition to
Cayambe in Ecuador and peak Jaya in Indonesia.
As the main object in Tanzania and the symbol of the East African countries, in 1973 made the National Park Kilimanjaro region, and in 1987 Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) is recognized as a Natural Heritage Site by the United Nations. Currently, Kilimanjaro region with Kibo Peak (5,895 m asl) as the highest roof of the African continent, visited by more than 35,000 visitors each year.
Various accessibility, accommodation, security, and professional guide services, allowing more people to enjoy the natural beauty of this increasingly scarce. Kilimanjaro as a world natural heritage improve itself and in the last 4 years of tourist arrivals increased by over three-fold. Fabulous Observing nature management in Kili, traveling in the mission "Kilimanjaro for Lupus" continues to create awe and envy. Tanzania, a developing country with over 30 percent of the population below the poverty line, capable of highly disciplined. Marangu Gate is one of the 7 route ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 1,800 m. Management office building containing three officers met the prospective climbers who lined up neatly.
In front of a small kiosk, containing the complete needs of climbing up a souvenir merchandise. Bathroom facilities sit and picnic area neat and clean, four noticeboard climbing, prohibition, appeal and regulations terjajar climbing nicely on a wooden board with carved inscription legible.
The entire building is identified with a clear point board. Not visible garbage can, but we did not find any garbage scattered. The guides reliably help us register and manage logistics with 26 porters, cooks, and assistant guides are largely a Chagga tribe, the largest tribe in the Kilimanjaro region.
Pristine natural setting along the 70 km journey up and down we feel so deeply. Flora and fauna that we encountered seemed quiet undisturbed. Picnic area in the form of a wooden bench table, cottage WC clean and maintained in every 5-7 km trip, three climbers hut with a capacity of 70 people in Mandara, Horombo 148 people and 58 people in the Kibo ready welcome.
Guide
Each cottage triangular structure with bunk beds for 4-10 climber is a wooden building with bedding and pillows. The cottage was enough to make us more comfortable than sleeping in a tent. In addition, available WC with abundant water, dining hall, common kitchen and specialized guides and porters lodge, plus a solar panel that is ready to light up every room every night.
Good facilities without user discipline, whatever that means. In KINAPA guides hold the key in the management of national parks. By guiding the categorization system versus reward, they are required to continue to improve services, natural science, technical knowledge climbing and rescue, as well as the ability to communicate and speak.
Penalty system, in the form of a suspension to revocation of license, apply KINAPA management to ensure no violations, such as the use of fuels that are not recommended, disturb the flora and fauna, the use of outside service provision, negligence guides, and other strict rules that can stop the source of the income of the guide .
Being a guide is a dream of most people Chagga tribe who live around the foot of Kilimanjaro. It took more than 5 years to become the head of the guide, with the highest rewards. With 2-3 years experience to be a porter to forge physical, 2 years of education on the job training as an assistant guide, until finally the test by KINAPA for certification guides.
As in many developing countries, the welfare of the guides and porters still an important issue. The great advantage is still more absorbed tour operators who live in urban areas. Facilities completeness climbing equipment until proper clothing can not always be met. Until many who suffer from pain and even death.
Two large association was formed in early 2003; KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) and KGPU (Kilimanjaro Guides and Porter Union). KPAP an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connections based in America, who fight for the rights of the porter in the whole world, such as in the area of Nepal Annapurna Sanctuary and the Inca trail in Peru. Services in the form of loaning equipment to proper clothing free of charge; English language training, P3K to HIV knowledge that hit eight percent of the population of Tanzania; personal financial management; and to educate users porter services. Medium KGPU established by former guide and porter, Joseph Nyabasi, with the aim of improving the welfare of those who make a living from the mountain through the same mission.
Demands professionalism coupled with worker protection agencies in the mountain, making this region one of the most popular natural tourist destination.
